What Should I Test My Well Water For?

Private well owners are responsible for their own water safety — there is no utility monitoring your water. Here is what every well owner should test for, how often, and why.

The Essential Tests — Every Well Owner Needs These

These tests should be performed when you first move into a home with a well, and periodically thereafter:

Test	Why It Matters	Test Frequency
Total coliform bacteria	Indicates contamination pathway — potential health risk	Annually
E. coli bacteria	Direct fecal contamination — serious health risk	Annually
Nitrates	Dangerous for infants — from fertilizer and septic runoff	Annually
pH	Acidic water corrodes pipes and leaches metals	Every 3 years
Total dissolved solids	General water quality indicator	Every 3 years
Hardness	Scale buildup on appliances and pipes	Once, then as needed

Test for These Based on Your Location

These contaminants are regionally common and should be tested if you are in a known risk area:

• Arsenic — high natural occurrence in the West, New England, and Midwest. Test once; if detected, retest annually.
• Radon — elevated in granite bedrock regions (New England, Appalachians, parts of the West).
• Fluoride — naturally high in some regions; dental and skeletal concerns at high levels.
• Iron and manganese — common in many rural aquifers; causes staining and taste problems.
• Lead — test if your home has pre-1986 plumbing or if pH is acidic.

Test After These Events

• Flooding near the well
• Any work done on the well or nearby plumbing
• Nearby land use changes (new agriculture, construction)
• Change in water taste, smell, or appearance
• Illness in the household with no other explanation
• A neighbor's well tests positive for contamination

What You Can Skip (For Most Homeowners)

A full comprehensive water test can cost $200–500 and tests for dozens of contaminants most wells never have. Unless you have specific reason to suspect contamination, the essential panel above covers the most common and serious risks. Your county health department can advise on locally relevant contaminants.

How Much Does Well Water Testing Cost?

Test Type	Cost Range	Best For
Basic bacteria + nitrates	$30–$75	Annual routine check
Essential panel (bacteria, nitrates, pH, hardness)	$75–$150	New home or first test
Comprehensive panel	$150–$400	Suspected contamination
EPA-certified lab test	$100–$300	Legal or real estate purposes